Apparatus for reducing tubular blanks



J. H. Gr-:Trls er Ai.

APPARATUS ron nEnucING TUBULAR LANxs original Filed nay 22, 19:57' 5 sheets-sheet 1 'n IQ l" n J ,QQ Q

. 3; A N E; f

\9 g5 g2 Q '7m www June 11, 1944). J. 4.551119 er. 2,203,955

APPARATUS FUR REDUCIR@v 'LUBUIME` BLANKS Original Filed May 22.- 1937 5. Sheets-Sheet 4 -June 1l, 1940. J. H. GETTIG -sr u.

` APPARATUS' ron REDUCINQJUBULAR BLANKS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented June 11, 1940 UNITED l STATES PATENT oI-T-icii Joseph H. Gettig and` George Spatta,` Buchanan, l Mich., assignors to Clark Equipment Company, `Buchanan;Micheal corporation of Michigan originsiappiieation `May` 22 1937, serial No. i 144,181. Divided and this application January 29, 193s, serial No. 187,531 y s` claims. (ci. '1s-44,2)

This invention relates to apparatus for reducing tubular blanks,`being more` particularly directed to means operatedhydraulically for reducing the tubular arms of anaxle housing of tions of the finished housing, and therefore the blank is swaged to reduce its diameter. 'I'his operation lengthens the blank and also gathers the metal of the wall to increase the thickness therethe banjo type used for automotive `vehicles and of. `This method of construction is advantageous 5 the like, and constituting e. division of our coin that it produces a housing having thick Walls pending applicatiomser. No. 144,181, filed May at the points where the greatest strain occurs, 22, 1937. l j y andthinner walls at the points that are subjected In the formationof `an axle housing from a, to lesser strain. In carrying outthe instant inlo tubular blank, whether the blank comprises seam- VehiOn, We may Provide either a double 0r Single l@ less tubing or hat strip stock rolled into tubular acting swagine apparatus for operating oneither form and `longitudinally welded, it `has hereto- 011e 0r both arms 0f an aXle hOuSing. The double fore been the practice to swage the arm portions acting machine is of some advantage in that it of the housing to reduce the external diameter provides that theoperations on one end of the thereof and to increase the wail thickness, one blank oppose thetreaotions set up in the blank 15 extremity of the arm portion being further swaged by the `pressure of the die operating on the other 'to provide wheel bearing seats or being upset,` end `thereofy thereby balancing the Stresses t0 and the other extremity flaring outwardly into a COHSiderable eXliehtthe banjo frame sectionLl f' l The present invention.` contemplates broadly,

The swaging operations have, so far as we are` the provision of a hydraulic swaging head car- 2G aware, usually been performed in `apparatus of Tying a plurality Gf radially disposed dies mountthe type disclosed in the SpattaPatent No. 1,962, i ed` on suitable rocker arms and actuated by hy- 944 of June 12,1934.` i l draulic surge pressure to contact the external It is old to `construct a rear axle `housing or surface of the housing about the larger DOItiOn `2i casing from tubing.` According to the present 0f the periphery thereof and to force the same 25 invention, the mank which is iirst formed eominwardlyfihoreby reducinethe diameter of the prises tubing of substantial1y uniform diameter arm and SimultaneOUSly thickening the Wells and Wall thickness -in which theV Wall thickness thereof. ThiS SWaging head iS Operated flOm a is substantially the same as the final thickness suitable pump and surge .control assembly so Il() required in the banjo frame, In order toform that` all Of the dies are .Simultaneusly rocked such `a housing, the `ends of the tube extending into and out of engagement with the surface of from the banjo outwardly `to the wheel bearing the blank, and as the blank is moved relative to seats must be shrunk to reduce thediameter to the die surfaces, it is successively reduced in the desired size. This increases the wall thickdiameter. In order to produce a Substantially :si ness of the arms, which provides a slightly greatuniform reduotionof the blank, it is preferably er strength than is required through a part of rotated during the swaging'operation so that a the length, but is advantageous at the extreme true cylindrical reduction is obtained. y outer ends of the arms `where the wheels are One object of the present invention is to swage to be mounted, and Where the flange for ata blank by a multiplicity of cooperating dies 4o taching the brake drum and spring pads must which are successively moved inwardly and out- 40 be disposed. wardly with respect to the axial center of the The present invention is particularly directed blank by hydraulic pressure, the action being to a machine for performing` the reduction of such that a smooth uniform reduction of the diameter of the arm sections of the blank to the blank is produced.

diameter required in the finished housing with- In the preferred form of the invention, we

l out affecting the thickness of metal in that porpreferably provide for arate of operation of about tion of the blank which is to be expanded into 400 pulsations per minute in the pressure sysa banjo frame. tem to produce a corresponding reciprocation of The diameter of `the tube used in the manuthev die members for effecting the required reducfacture of housings lof this type is determined by tion. go the amount of metal requiredin the critical sec- Another object of the present invention is to tions of the housing in accordance with the prinso design the swaging head that uniform presciples set forth in Spatta Reissue Patent No. 20,- sure is exerted upon the blank by each of the 103, of September 8, 1936. This diameter is subswaging dies, and the dies al1 operate simulstantially larger than is required in the end sectaneously in effecting a reduction in the diam- 55 eter of the blank. We preferably provide six dies spaced 120 apart, and provided with arcuate Aconcave surfaces daring outwardly from the rear end thereof to receive and guide the blanktherebetween, and to simultaneously produce upon `the blank a tapered reduction which, as the blank moves through the head, is formed into acylindrical reduced arm. By employing hydraulic pressure, a smooth and uniform operation is obtained insuring that the blank will be uniformly reduced. Suitable cooling means is provided for maintaining the oil or other fluid at the proper temperature to prevent its deterioration and to preserve its volume so that uniformity is insured.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a swaging head having a common manifold connection to each of the die operating plungers, whereby a surge o f pressure of the fluid in the manifold will produce simultaneous movement of each of the die plungers. Suitable adjusting means is provided for insuring that the dies will return to the proper position after each operating impulse to allow free feeding of the blank through the dies between alternate impulses and to permit rotation of the blank during this interval.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of means for insuring rotation of thev blank as it is fed through the swaging head in order that all surfaces of the blank will be uniformly acted upon by the dies to insure a uniform reduction and the reduction of a direct cylindrical arm of smaller diameter' and increased wall thickness.

Still another feature of the present invention is the provision of apparatus having interchangeable parts, and so assembled'that the dies and the operating mechanism therefor may be readily removed when necessary for inspection, replacement or repair. In this connection' we provide a novel type of clamping arrangement for holding the die firmly in position upon the rocker arm, and for insuring restoration of the rocking arm to die opening position after each successive impulse.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear-more fully from the following detailed description Whlch, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will disclose to those skilled in the art the particular construction and operation of a preferred form of the present invention.- y

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the hydraulic connections for operating the swaging apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the swaging head;

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the headl shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the head partly in section;

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the hydraulic plunger assembly for operating the die rocker arms;

Figure 6 .is a somewhat diagrammatic view showing the use of two swaging heads which are relatively movable to elTect a double swaging actlion upon opposite ends of the tubular blank; and

Figure '7 is a side elevational view of the rotating mechanism for the blank.

Referring now in detail to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the die head is iuustrated generau'y at s, and comprises an annular manifold portion 6 having a front plate 1 bolted thereto by a series of circumferentially spaced stud bolts 8 tapped into the rear spider member of the head. The plate 1 is provided with openings 9 therein through which access may be had to the die mounting mechanism.

The plate 1 is also provided with a central bushing member I0 through which is guided the tubular blank to be operated upon. The forward face of the manifold frame member 6 is provided with two laterally extending foot portions I2 which are channelled on their under surface as indicated at I3 for support upon the upper flange I4 of sill members I5, which may .take the form of I-beams or the like. If a single swaging head is to be employed and the tubular blank is to be fed thereinto, the foot portions I2 are provided with bolts I6 by which they are secured to the anges I4 to mount thc head rigidly upon the supporting I beams I5.

Secured to the rear face of the plate I1 forming the end closure for the manifold I6 is'the rear spider I8 providing the pivotal supports for the die rocker arms, indicated generally at 2U. The spider I8 is secured to the manifold 6 by the cap bolts 22 which extend therethrough and are threaded into the rear face of plate I1. The spider itself is provided With a suitable piloting flange 23 adapted to center the pilot upon the shoulder 24 formed on the rear face of the plate I1.

The plate I1 is welded by circumferential outer welds 25 and inner welds 26 to the manifold 6 and forms a uid tight closure of the manifold.

The spider I 8 is provided at its rear surface with a bracket member 28 bolted thereto by the bolts 29, and having laterally o'set foot extensions 30 which are suitably channeled, as at 32,

on their under surface for mounting on the flanges I4 of the I-beam members I5, and suitable securing means 33 may be provided for rigidly mounting the bracket on the I-beams.

Considering now Figure 4 in detail, lthe die rocker arms 20 which, in the present embodiment of the invention aresix in number, are pivoted on suitable pins 35 carried by the oppositely extending webs 36 which extend angularly outwardly from the rear end of the spider I8 to the forward end thereof, and provide suitable for the interior slots Within which the rocker arms 20 are adapted to move. The spider is open at its central portion, having the annular opening 38 formed therein by the central cylindrical portion 39 of the spider. Angularly offset recesses 40 are provided in the outer periphery thereof, these re cesses 4Il being adapted to contain springs 42 biased at one end against the inner base of the recess and at the opposite end engaging the inclined shoulder 43 formed on the rocker arm 2U.

The arm 20 is also provided with a shoulder portion 44 at the outer extremity thereof, which shoulder portion is apertured to receive the bolt- 45 therein, this bolt being adapted to have abutting engagement with the inclined shoulder 46 formed on the inner portion of the spider indicated at 41. This inner portion is also provided with a pilot flange 48 piloted within the inner periphery of the opening 49 formed in the plate -member I1. The stud or bolt 45 is provided with a suitable lock nut .50 which limits its inward movement with respect to the arm 20, and at its opposite end is provided with a ared head portion 52 engaging the inclined seat 46. Suitable spring means 53 encircling the inner pro- 2,203,956- 3 i iecting portionof the stud 45is biased between the inner surface of the shoulder 44 and the head 52 of the stud, normally maintaining the stud 45` in position with the nut 50 engaging the outer surface ofthe shoulder, i

`The inner end of the rocker 20 isprovided with a laterally extending` portion` 55`havingthe undercut surface 56 formed therein and `machined to receive the base portion 51 of the die block 58.` The base `portion 51 of theldie block is of transverse dove-tail formation, and` is clamped tothe arm 20 by means of the clamping lug 59 engaging the outer surface ofthe base portion 51 and securedtoitheiarm 20 by means of the bolt 60. It will` `benoted` that the arm por,` tion 55 `is provided with the tapered surface 62 wherebythelug isiprevented from radial move` t ment and consequently upon tightening of the boltl 60, the lug will be drawn axially inwardly to x 'the die block securely in position on :the inner end portion 55 of thearm 20.

The spider ls intermediate the radiai webs` as i is provided with transverse web portions 64 which erally at 13, and shown more in detail in Fig` ure 5.

1 The plunger 12 ie previded with netted eideef 14 which are engagedby the inner lateral surfaces to the links 68, and the plunger itself is provided with a recessed opening`15 and adapted to receive the bearing block member 16 cooperating with a corresponding bearing block `11 carried by the outer peripheral surface of the armportion 55 to take the reaction when the die arm is moved inwardlyby axial inward extension of the p1unger12.` The `p1ungerl12`is suitably guided within a cylinder 11 formed integral with anend `cap member 18 having the flange` portion 19 bolted to the surfaces of the manifold member 6 at spaced intervals about the periphery thereof. The manifold is` provided with spaced boss portions 88 for receiving and supporting these assemblies in position and intermedate the bosses form manifold chambers 69. The plunger assemblies 13 are retained in` position and adjacent theinner end 80 of the cylinders, suitable oil grooves are provided for lubricating the plunger surfaces. The assembly is secured to the polygonal surface ofthe manifold by the bolts 82 `extendingthereintothrough the flanges 15.

On opposite sides of the openings in the manifold 6` through whichthe plunger assemblies `13` extend, there is provided ports 8|, shown in Figure 4, which communicate with a common port 83 disposed at the outer end of the cylinder 11,

through opposite lateral openings `84 formed in `the head flange 18. The manifold itself is filled with fluid which communicates through these ports with the outer end of the plunger `12, so that upon successive pulsations in pressure in the manifold the plungers move inwardly to actuate the swaging dies, I'he plungersare restored to die open position by springs 42 and 53 upon release of the pressure surge in the manifold, as

`adjacent the rear plate |1.

will beihereinafter described. The fluid is introduced into the,manifold through suitable.

ports indicated at 90.

In order to maintain the fluid used for the actuation of the plungers cool, so that itwill retain its bodyand volume, we provide a series of cooling coils 85 disposed in themanifold 6 This coolingrneans has inlet and outlet connections extending outwardly as indicated at 86 and 81, respectively,I leading to a source of coolant, such as water or the like.` These connections preferably extend outwardlythrough the openings 65 in the web portion 64 of the spider I8.` In cases in which the swaging head moves along the beams |5, suitable flexible connections may be provided to accommodate thismovement.

Considering now in detail Figure 6. the two swaging heads for a double acting swaging opera- `tion are indicated generally at |20 and |22 having the rear spiders |23 and |24, respectively,

and provided with foot extensions |25 and |26 adapted to have sliding movement longitudinally along the extending rail members |21. Supported below therail members |21 by the member |30, which may be bolted thereto as indicated at |32, is a power cylinder |33 shown more or less diagrammatically, and provided with end closure members |34 andl |35. The power cylinder |33 is provided with two inlet ports |36 and with a central outlet port |31. The cylinder is adapted to contain a pair of pistons |36 and |39 having outwardly extending connecting rods |40 and |42.

respectively, guided within the cap members |34 and.|35. `Each of the swaging heads |20 and |22 isprovided with downwardly extending bracket ,members |44 and |45,` respectively, which are adapted to receive the outer ends of the rods |40 and |42, the rods being' secured thereto by the nuts |46 and |41.

The `brackets |44 and |45 extend between the parallel rails |21 and move conjointly with the piston rods |40 and |42 to produce a corresponding movement of the swaging heads |20 and |22,

Mounted substantially centrally of the assembly on theupper surface of the rails |21 is a supporting i member |50 which may be bolted, as indicated at |52or otherwise secured to the top flanges "of `the rails, and which is adapted to support a journalmember |53 having hinge portions |54 whereby it may be opened by release of the locking engagement indicated at |55 to permit the insertion and support of a tubular blank |56 therein. After the blank' has been disposed in the clamp |53 and the clamp has been closed and locked as indicated at |55, the

`blank |56 is 'ee to rotate withinthe journal,

toward the center of the blank. Suitable clampi ing means `is secured to the surface of the blank |56 adjacent the journal clamp |53, and `includes a ratchet |66 adapted to be engaged ports are connected to the pressure system shown J l f voir |82 through the line |92.

in Figure 1 as will be described in detail hereinafter. In the operation of the mechanism shown in Figure 6, pressure is admitted through the ports |36 to the power cylinder |33 resulting in inward movement of the pistons |38 and |39 toward each other, thus producing corresponding relative movement of the-swaging heads |20 and |22 `toward each other to produce reduction of the extending portions of the blank |56, being fed into the interior of lthe swaging heads. When the pistons reach their inner pointof movement, which can be determined by suitable stop means controlledy by the foot extensions |25, the: pressure in the outer ends of the cylindel` |33 is released' and pressure is applied through the port |31 Yto the space between the pistons. This results in separating movement of the pistons: and consequent separating movement of the swaging heads |20 and |22, thereby withdrawing these heads from the ends of the blank |56 after which the rotating mechanism l|65 is released from the blank and the journal clamp |53 is opened to allow removal of the blank from the apparatus.,

Referring now more particularly to the pressure connections for the swaging mechanism which are shown diagrammatically in Figure 1, there is provided a pump mounted ona suitable base `|82 forming a reservoir therefor, and provided with the outlet pressure line |83 extendingV through the ball check valve |84 to a gas accumulator indicated generally at |85.4

The accumulator is provided with a pressure dome or head |86 within which is conned a gas suitable for. maintaining positive pressure on the system. This gas, in' a preferred embodiment of the invention, consists of nitrogen or similar gas which will not be 'absorbed by the uid employed in the pressure system. A system by-pass: line |81 is provided leading upwardly through the \valve |88 to an air bleed line |89 which is also connected through the valve |90 with thereser- This provides for bleeding any accumulated air out of the pressure system to prevent air interlocks or the like, as is the usual practice in connection with pressure systems of the pulsatingY type.

From the accumulator the fluid under pressure is conducted through the line |93 to a control valve assembly |94, this'assembly having an operating member |95 which maybe reciprocated in any suitable manner to effect pulsations' of pressure on the fluid, and which is operated at a relatively high rate of speed, such as 400 reciprocations per minute in one form of the invention. From the control valve |94 the fluid under pressure is led through the line |96 and the branch lines |91 and |98 to the ports 90 of the manifold 6 containing the pressure cylinders, diagrammatically lshown at 13 in Figure 1. The

cylinder plungers 12 are thereby reciprocated with each reciprocation of the control member |95. The control valve |94 is provided with an outlet connection |99 which leads back into the reservoir |82.

The ball check valve |84 prevents the pulsating pressure effect from being transmitted back to the pump pressure connection |83, and insuresv that the pulsations will be effective on the fluid in the manifold 6 and the line |96. Any fluid other than that required for the pulsation effect on the actuating cylinders is returned through the line |99 to the reservoir, and as airis bled out of the system the ball check valve |84 admits additional uid through the pump into the accumulator and thence to the cylinders. If desired, separate accumulators may be employed for each actuating cylinder, and separate control valves may also be provided having means for producing conjoint actuation thereof. In order to effect proper actuation of the rotative mechanism |65- |10, thel cylinder' |68 has itspressure connection |12 connected to the pressure line |96 so that upon a pulsation effect being produced in the line |96, the piston Vrod |16 is drawn downwardly within the cylinder to move the cam member |61 downwardly with respect to the ratchet |66. Upon the return of the control member to its upper position, the pressure in the valve |94 is transmitted through the exhaust line |99 to the sump |92, and a portion of this pressure is connected'to the cylinder |68 through the connection |13 to produce upward movement of the piston |16 and consequent rotation of the ratchet |66 for rotating the housing |56 as the pistons 12 are moved to retracted position, thereby insuring that the housing willonly be rotated during the interval in which the die members are out of engagement therewith.

It is therefore apparent that the tubular blank is rotated as it isfed through the swaging mechanism, thereby insuring a maintenancev of its cylindrical form while it is being reduced indi-A ameter and the arms are being thickened. We are aware that various changes may be made in details of certain of the mechanisms shown herein, and therefore do not intend to be limited except as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

We claim: Y i* 1. Swaging apparatus comprising supporting rails, a swaging manifold of generally cylindrical form supported on said rails and adapted to be filled with fluid under pressure, means for producing high frequency pressure pulsations in said fluid, a spider secured to the rear face of said manifold and supported on said rails, a plurality of radially disposed rocker arms pivotallyfcarried by said spider, die members carried at the free ends of said rocker arms within the center of said manifold, said die members having concave tapered surfaces defining a frusto-conical opening receiving a tubular blank and terminating in arcuate portions defining a cylindrical opening of smaller diameter than the normal diameter of said blank, hydraulically operated means within said manifold having common connection to said fluid therein and having radially movable pistons extending in a common plane inwardly of the manifold for simultaneously actuating said rocker arms to reciprocate said die members radially inwardly and outwardly upon operation of said pressure pulsating means, and means operable in response to pressure pulsations in said manifold for rotating said blank relative to said die members between each successive inward movement of said rocker arms.

2. Swaging apparatus for reducing a tubular blank comprising a plurality of swaging dies arranged to define a cylindrical opening and mounted for reciprocatory movement toward and away from the center of said openings, spring means normally holding said dies in outerlimitingposition, a manifold adapted to contain uid under pressure surrounding said dies, a plunger meansin unvalved communication with the iiuid in' said manifold and connected to said dies, means for producing high frequency pulsations in said manifold sufficient to move said plungers against the pressure of saidvspring means for forcing said dies against the lateral surface of l said blank whereby saidl dies are reciprocated at high frequency to reduce the diameter of said blank, and means responsive to pressurepulsations in said manifold for effecting partial relative rotation between said blank `and said dies during the period between alternate pressureengagement of said dies with said blank.`

3. Swaging apparatus for reducing a tubular blank comprising a plurality of swaging dies arranged to dene a cylindrical opening and mounted for reciprocatory movement toward and away from the center of said openingsspring means normally holding said `dies in outer limiting position, a manifold adapted to contain fluid under pressure surrounding said dies, plunger means in unvalved communication with the fluid in said manifold and connected to said dies,

means for producing high frequency pulsations in said manifold sufficient to move said plungers against the pressure of said spring means for forcing said dies against the lateral surface of said blank whereby said dies are reciprocated at high frequency to reduce the diameter of said blank, and means responsive to pressure pulsations in said manifold for partially rotating said blank between successive engagements of said dies with said blank.

, GEORGE SPATTA.

JOSEPH H. GETIIG. 

